Carpentry help needed - biscuit or dowel joints ?

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stevewestern

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This may be a slightly niche question but I need a bit of advice please - I am going to be making up some long MDF shelves and will need to join a couple of lengths 'in plane' as it were.
So, would a biscuit jointer be the way to go, or will a dowel jig do the job.
I've seen the Makita 18v biscuit jointer
http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...KqgfJ1S759aWekGSnyRc_mjhXxWyK66w0bRoC5mDw_wcB

and already have a few batteries so am tempted but the Wolfcraft jig may suffice and is a lot cheaper

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-4640000-Dowel-Master-dowel/dp/B0001P19PY

Main priority is getting a perfectly flush joint so spending the extra is worth it if it gets the result.

So, anyone able to offer any advice based on experience ?
 
I'd go for Jaffa cakes everytime :D

I'm no expert but would choose the biscuit join in this example as it will give you more "surface area" for the join. Remember you can hire tools if you don't think you will use the jointer again.
 
How long are the shelves going to be, Steve?
 
EdwardL said:
I'm no expert but would choose the biscuit join in this example as it will give you more "surface area" for the join. Remember you can hire tools if you don't think you will use the jointer again.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply EdwardL - having spent much of the morning (hey, its a slow day here..) looking into both, a biscuit jointer seems the way to go, but I did see one reviewer claiming that biscuits may allow a little 'slop' resulting in a less than perfect join.
Strength of the joint is less important as the shelves will be supported fairly close to any joint.
As for hiring - I hear you, but have had a few bad experiences with hire tools (one resulted in me almost loosing the tip of a finger) and any tool tends to get used if bought, even though I tend to do more decorating these days.
 
Crikey, that's a fair old span.

Presumably they will be supported at intervals along their length? (just wondering if you NEED to joint them, as opposed to just butting them together?)
 
OldCarlos said:
Crikey, that's a fair old span.

Presumably they will be supported at intervals along their length? (just wondering if you NEED to joint them, as opposed to just butting them together?)
Click to expand...

Isn't it ! There will be dividers, and my client is the sort of person who would want to know they are jointed. I am also planning to use any jointer to secure the dividers thus eliminating the need for screws and filling.
 
A biscuit joiner is faster & more convenient to use, & allows some sideways movement. A decent fence should mean perfectly flush joins.

Any play should be taken up as the biscuits expand - they are compressed by 20% & the glue swells them up again.

Dowels can do the same job, but placement obviously has to be perfect.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
A biscuit joiner is faster & more convenient to use, & allows some sideways movement. A decent fence should mean perfectly flush joins.

Any play should be taken up as the biscuits expand - they are compressed by 20% & the glue swells them up again.

Dowels can do the same job, but placement obviously has to be perfect.
Click to expand...

Thanks - what you say just adds to my feeling that the Makita is the way to go, so am taking a look on ebay before actually ordering one.


Many thanks all, as always !
 
stevewestern said:
Thanks - what you say just adds to my feeling that the Makita is the way to go, so am taking a look on ebay before actually ordering one.


Many thanks all, as always !
Click to expand...


Do you have a router?
If so, just buy a biscuit router bit. They cost a lot less than a new machine.
It's what I use when I need to do these joints.
 
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Wouldn't ply be a better option and a span like that? They would take a biscuit joint better. It's also lighter and stronger if being hung, plus it will not sag.
 
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rjbell said:
Wouldn't ply be a better option and a span like that? They would take a biscuit joint better. It's also lighter and stronger if being hung, plus it will not sag.
Click to expand...
My client wants a smooth finish, and ply has a grain.
My shelves should not sag as they are going to be supported every 400-600mm, and anyway, I now have an almost new Makita on its way to me..!!!
 
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